donkey's years

noun

, Informal.

1. a very long time; eons.

donkey's years

noun

1. informal.
   a long time

Word History and Origins

Origin of donkey's years¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; probably originally donkey('s) ears, as rhyming slang for years, with years replacing ears once the rhyming origin was forgotten

Idioms and Phrases

A long time, as in I haven't seen her in donkey's years . This expression punningly alludes to the considerable length of the animal's ears. [Early 1900s]

Example Sentences

“Ach, it just came to me: She hasn’t called me Daddy in donkey’s years,” said Dr. van Heerden, stirring three spoonfuls of sugar into a fresh cup of tea.

From Literature

"I've been waking up at night. I've not been this stressed in donkey's years."

From BBC

“I’ve been playing these same numbers for donkey's years,” she told The Lott.

From Fox News

"They had been together for donkey's years but just needed a gentle push from Juliet," Martin says.

From BBC

Richard Stevens from Faversham in Kent said he's "gutted" Thomas Cook is in such trouble, because he's been coming on Thomas Cook package holidays with his wife and two sons for "donkey's years".

From BBC